UPSLocal480 --
Hi there, I just want to make a few comments to your opinion about how some drivers treat part-timers (those who have forgotten their roots). Let me say this, I did 10 years part-time before I went into Feeders. (Yes, I went out and got my CDL and skipped right over Packages) I work out of a HUB. I started out loading, strong-side/weak-side pick, and then after 3 years of all that I took the sort test and became a sorter. I even did a stint as an irreg driver. I unloaded once in awhile too. I also did On-call Air (weekly) and Saturday Air delivery/pickup. I finished my part-time years as a Secondary Sorter (our local center destinations). I was pretty much a jack of all trades. For the past 4 years now, I have been a full time Feeder driver. I have NEVER forgotten my roots and I help as many part timer loaders as I can . Sometimes I'll go find straps for them, or I'll help load (as long as they don't mind), I help them lift the over 70's , I even buy them cans of pop when its really hot. I do whatever I can to make them feel better about the hard work they do. Because I remember. And you know what..most of the other guys/gals who came over to full time from part-time do the same thing. They haven't forgotten either. But I will say this.. many part-timers give "us" the cold shoulder and they look at us as being "unworthy" to be full time. Some of them don't realize that we already did their job for years before they even got hired. It swings both ways 480. You have your good guys and your bad guys. Hell, I still get talked down from my fellow "veteran" drivers who never spent a minute doing part time work. And these old farts are the ones who complain the most about their jobs. They were hired right off the street into full time in the 70's and are spoiled rotten. I just ignore them now.. They will moan and complain up to the day they retire (if they ever do). Now, the ones that came from Packages are a bit more silent because they remember what hard work is all about. I wish more part-timers would stand up and be heard, but only about 1 out of 12 ever stick around for the long haul. Just remember, there are more employees going full time from part time now, than ever before. And once these baby boomers from the 60's and 70's decide to retire you'll notice the big change in attitude from the new full-timers. Of course you'll always have your 5 for 1 ratio hires (off the street full timers) who will always remain "spoiled". Maybe someday, we'll negotiate a language that says you can't be full time unless you come from part time, (but then again, how many part-timers are triple trailer qualified?) Heh! Oh well... hang in there it will get a little better over the years. And remember, we are all on the same team against the competition (FedEx) and the goal is to satisfy the customer as best we can. I'm counting on you to do your job in caring for that package just as you should be counting on me for delivering it.
Now is not the time for Full-timers and Part-timers to be squabbling over "who does more work".
If your here for the long haul.. then put in your time and you'll reap the rewards later. If your just biding time to finish college..then all I can say is "good-luck".
Later